A. Rajarajan

Arumugham Rajarajan
Known forComposite structures; launch vehicle development; Director of VSSC and SDSC-SHAR
AwardsHonorary doctorate (Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology)
Scientific career
FieldsAerospace engineering; Launch vehicle systems
InstitutionsISRO

Arumugham Rajarajan is an Indian aerospace engineer and scientist with ISRO. He is serving as the director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), one of the major centre of ISRO responsible for the development of launch vehicles.[1][2] He assumed charge on 1 August 2025.[3]

Rajarajan previously served as the director of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), ISRO’s primary spaceport at Sriharikota.[4][5]

He is known for his expertise as a composites specialist and a key contributor to launch vehicle programmes, including PSLV, GSLV and LVM3.[6]

Early career

Rajarajan joined ISRO in 1987.[7] His early work primarily focused on structural engineering, composites, spacecraft structures, and ISRO’s launch vehicle systems.[2]

Career

Indian Space Research Organisation

Over his career with ISRO, Rajarajan has worked in areas such as structural design, composite materials, stage integration, mission readiness and launch operations. He also played critical roles in ISRO's various launch vehicle programmes including PSLV, GSLV and LVM3.[8]

Director, SDSC SHAR

As director of SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota, Rajarajan looked after the launch operations, modernisation of ground infrastructure and activities supporting commercial launch services.[9] During this tenure as director, he was associated with major missions including Aditya-L1, Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 .[10]

Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre

Rajarajan assumed charge as the director of VSSC on 1 August 2025, succeeding S. Unnikrishnan Nair.[1] In his present role, he leads the centre in the development and qualification of ISRO’s launch vehicle fleet, advanced propulsion systems, composite structures and human-rated vehicle initiatives.[11]

Contributions

Independent news reporting highlights:

  • his role as a composites specialist[6]
  • indigenisation of solid-motor and composite structure
  • leadership in launchpad infrastructure upgrades
  • involvement in pre-Gaganyaan mission testing[12]

Other roles

Rajarajan also associated with the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) and other institutional mechanisms supporting India’s commercial space sector.[13]

Honours

He was awarded an honorary doctorate (Honoris Causa) by Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology.[14]

References

  1. ^ a b "A. Rajarajan to head Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre". The Hindu. 31 July 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  2. ^ a b Service, Express News (31 July 2025). "Rajarajan, a composites expert and key force behind Vikram-S, named new VSSC director". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  3. ^ "A. Rajarajan Takes Charge As New Director Of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre". BW Businessworld. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  4. ^ "A Rajarajan Takes Charge As New Director Of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre". BusinessWorld. 1 August 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  5. ^ Shivam (1 August 2025). "Meet The New Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre". adda247. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Rajarajan, a composites expert and key force behind Vikram-S, named new VSSC director". The New Indian Express. 31 July 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  7. ^ "A. RAJARAJAN". IAF. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  8. ^ "ISRO journey: 46 years, 99 launches; 'next 100 will be much quicker'". The Times of India. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  9. ^ "Our Director". SDSC SHAR. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  10. ^ "Keralites behind Chandrayaan-2 mission". OnManorama. 23 July 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  11. ^ "Air-drop test success a big step in Gaganyaan mission, says ISRO scientist Rajarajan". The Hindu. 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  12. ^ "ISRO successfully conducts integrated airdrop test for Gaganyaan mission". ET Manufacturing. 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  13. ^ "IN-Space board to have IISc, JNU, IIT-M faculty, HAL, BrahMos; A Rajarajan named member". The Times of India. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  14. ^ "Honoris Causa". Sathyabama University. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
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